8 Days Classic China: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai Private Tour

Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport. Your private guide and driver greet you with a "Chengdu Wonder Tours" sign and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free to rest or explore at your leisure.

Mutianyu Great Wall - Journey to the beautifully restored Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, about 1.5 hours from Beijing. This less-crowded section offers stunning views of the wall snaking across mountain ridges. Take the cable car up and enjoy walking along the ancient battlements. For the descent, choose the cable car or the exhilarating toboggan ride.

Sacred Way - Visit the Spirit Way leading to the Ming Tombs, lined with impressive stone statues of animals and officials guarding the imperial burial grounds.

Return to Beijing for a welcome Peking Duck dinner at a renowned local restaurant.

Tiananmen Square - Start at the world's largest public square, surrounded by monumental buildings including the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China.

Forbidden City - Enter the world's largest palace complex, home to 24 emperors over nearly 500 years. Explore the grand halls, courtyards, and gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guide brings the stories of emperors, concubines, and court intrigue to life.

Temple of Heaven - Visit this masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture where emperors performed annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. Walk through the surrounding park where locals practice tai chi, play cards, and sing opera.

Summer Palace - Explore the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Stroll along the Long Corridor, admire Kunming Lake, and climb Longevity Hill for panoramic views. Take a boat ride across the lake to see the Marble Boat.

Hutong Rickshaw Tour - Experience Beijing's traditional alleyway neighborhoods by rickshaw. Visit a local family's courtyard home and learn about daily life in old Beijing.

In the afternoon, board the high-speed train to Xi'an (approximately 4.5-5.5 hours). Your Xi'an guide meets you at the station and transfers you to your hotel.

Terracotta Warriors Museum - Spend the morning at this extraordinary archaeological site. Discovered by farmers in 1974, the life-sized army of over 8,000 warriors, horses, and chariots has guarded Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb for over 2,200 years. Explore all three excavation pits and the bronze chariot exhibition hall.

Xi'an City Wall - Walk or cycle along the most complete ancient city wall in China. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the 13.7km wall offers excellent views of the city.

Muslim Quarter - End the day exploring the vibrant Muslim Quarter. Sample local delicacies like yangrou paomo (crumbled bread in lamb soup) and browse the colorful street stalls.

Shaanxi History Museum - Visit one of China's finest museums, housing artifacts spanning from the Zhou to Tang dynasties. The collection of Tang Dynasty gold and silver objects is particularly impressive.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda - See this iconic Tang Dynasty pagoda, built to store Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang.

After lunch, transfer to Xi'an airport for your flight to Shanghai (approximately 2.5 hours). Your Shanghai guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel.

The Bund - Start the day with a stroll along Shanghai's iconic waterfront promenade. Admire the colonial-era buildings on one side and the futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.

Yu Garden & Old Town - Explore this exquisite 16th-century classical garden with rockeries, pavilions, ponds, and dragon walls. Wander through the adjacent bazaar area filled with traditional shops and street food.

Shanghai Tower - Ascend to the observation deck of China's tallest building (632 meters) for breathtaking 360-degree views of Shanghai. Walk on the glass floor if you're feeling brave!

Nanjing Road & French Concession - Walk along China's premier shopping street, then explore the tree-lined avenues of the former French Concession with its charming boutiques, cafes, and Art Deco architecture.

Shanghai Museum - Spend the morning at this world-class museum housing an extraordinary collection of ancient Chinese art, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and jade.

Jade Buddha Temple - Visit this active Buddhist temple famous for its two rare jade Buddha statues brought from Burma in the 19th century.

After lunch, your guide escorts you to Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao Airport for your departure flight, concluding an unforgettable journey through China's greatest cities.